Defense Ministry serviceman sentenced

The head of the Nth military unit of the Ministry of Defense, who was detained in Sumgayit as a result of a special operation by the State Security Service (SSS), was sentenced, oxu.az reports.

Rajab Khalilov (born 1962), who served in one of the military units in Sumgayit, was detained while trying to sell about 100 g of mercury of unknown origin for 15,000 manats. During the operation carried out in October last year, a certain Vidadi, who worked as a jeweler in Sumgayit and was an intermediary in the sale of this metal, was detained along with him.

A criminal case was initiated against both persons under Articles 240.2.1 and 240.2.2 (illegal trafficking in potent or poisonous substances for the purpose of sale, committed by a group of persons by prior agreement and repeatedly) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. They were arrested by the decision of the Baku Military Court.

During the investigation, it was established that the serviceman entered into an agreement with the jeweler Vidadi and, having found a buyer, agreed to sell him mercury for 15,000 manats. Upon completion of the transaction, which took place in the village of Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev, they were detained by the State Security Service. A search of the serviceman’s house also revealed 6 g of mercury hidden in a manometer.

The materials of the criminal case were sent to the Absheron District Court some time ago. At the meeting held on June 10, 2022, R. Khalilov was sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 4 years, and Vidadi – 4 years and 6 months.

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